South America is Calling

My husband is from Venezuela, so we take a couple of trips down there every year, but I have not spent any time in any other South American countries. In the next few years I hope to do some extensive exploring in this part of the world as I improve my Spanish and embrace the variations in culture throughout the continent.

Driving two hours outside of Caracas will bring you to your launching docks- another few hours by boat will bring you to paradise. La Tortuga is absolute beauty, the beach is a long thin strip that changes shape daily and usually you will have it...

One of my favorite things to do in Caracas is to climb El Avila. There are several different route access points that can be found on the cusp of the city. Make sure you hike during the day (it is safest when there are a lot of people around) and...

Century-old La Casona estancia lies on the expansive estate of Matetic Vineyards, known for its syrah, about 60 miles west of Santiago. Spacious rooms feature wooden floors, cozy reading chairs, and French doors that open onto the organically...

I never felt such good vibes as I did in El Bolson/Lago Puelo. One of the best places I have ever been. Days spent hiking in the mountains, drinking craft beers and hanging in the park, eating at the artisans market, or chillin' at Lago Puelo....

The sun sinks behind the foothills of the Andes as I gallop on horseback toward the riverbank. My horse splashes into the rushing water, and I cling to the reins with frozen fingers. In the distance, smoke curls up through the evening sky. It’s a...

While visiting the Southern most city in the world - why not take a little 'southern' stroll along the waterfront. You'll be surrounded by snow capped mountains and can gaze out on the Beagle Channel. Take a seat one of the many benches and watch...

See our full list of Where to Go in 2015. In a single day in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, we were lucky enough to see herds of guanaco, baby ostriches, and condors gliding through the sky. The clouds parted to give us a...

Escape the traffic and haze of Caracas and head for the hills- El Avila is laced with beautiful trails leading up to a peak that offers gorgeous panoramic views and if your lucky a glimpse of the sea on the other side. It's a tough climb in some...

During my stay at the new Hotel Surazo, I fell asleep to the sound of the Pacific surf pounding the sand. Located in Matanzas, a village on the sparsely populated, mountainous central Chilean coast, this low-slung, modern surf lodge is about 50...

The traditional dwellings of the region’s Kawésqar people inspired Ecocamp’s domed structures. Constructed from locally sourced materials, they make use of solar and wind energy. —Kellie Schmitt Ecocamp, (800) 901-6987,...

The little city of Banos is situated on the side of volcano Tungurahua and has gorgeous waterfalls like this one, the Pailon del Diablo or Devil's Cauldron. To get up this high the trail first drops about 1000 feet into the valley and then climbs...

For anyone who has explored the neighborhoods of Caracas, you know that the various sweeping views of the city are truly breathtaking (as long as you can safely pull over to take in the view). The constant view of El Avila is one of the true gems...

We spent the night up on Cotopaxi (19,300 ft.) and the next morning went for a short walk up the trail. We were greeted by these llamas who blocked our path back down to the lodge! There were friendly enough, but very curious. I would highly...

I was thrilled at finding Taipu de Fora beach exactly how I had hoped it would be - undiscovered with miles of unspoilt beaches and palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze. Tide pools formed in the early morning and there were only 1-2 restaurants...

Filmmaker, photographer and graphic designer Vân Nguyen having a tough time climbing Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca) on the Inca Trail (Camino Inka). It took us four days to hike the 55 mile "Classic Inca Trail." The pass itself is...

In the late afternoon every Friday, volunteers and students at Río Muchacho Organic Farm pile into the back of large, slow-moving trucks. They are then bounded along the bumpy, winding dirt road that leads roughly 10 miles southwest into the tiny...

A great view of Mt. Fitz Roy can done as a day hike from the hiking town of El Chalten in Argentina. The trail starts in the woods, passes over streams, and gives ever more amazing vistas as you climb. For the full experience, you can camp at the...